Seriously though, I just want to ascertain what exactly one means when 'moe' is used.

The meaning of the word varies so much that it's hard to understand what one means when the term is used. It could refer to the overly cute character designs, silly antics, 'lack of plot'... all the way to the 'urge to protect' (which is the very case here), the 'feeling of being a big brother' and even Lolicon bait.

It would be best if you actually specified what it is about the genera you don't like.

Moe of course coming from the verb "Moeru" which means "to bud" or "budding". However that used to only mean in the context of plants, like a rose bud (although it is still used in that context as well). However the "Moe" were talking about also has connections with another "Moeru", this particular one meaning "to burn". But this "to burn" implies more along the lines of a "burning passion" or an intense like or drive. Watch any Shounen fighting or sports Anime and one of the characters are bound to say "Moeru zo!" or "Moeru ze!" at some point in time.

So knowing these 2 things, we can asertain that the true and correct meaning of "Moe" in the sense of Anime and Manga are concerned, is a growing, intense, passion or like of something or someone. Nothing more, nothing less. Often "Moe" manifests itself as an "urge to protect" as Actar has already said. This being that the "intense passion or intrest" is coming from the intrest in the character's safety and wellbeing. Moe allows you to be able to worry for a character, hence the "passion or interest" and hence the feelings of "Moe". Cuteness can also create a simmilar feeling, because it's something you want to have, hence the "passion or interest", etc, etc...

However there are very important things to note. Since "Moe" depends on PERSONAL passion and interest, there is no one garanteed method of inducing a person's "Moe". True, bussiness savvy studios have over time created characters "More likely to induce Moe" (Others just incorrectly call such types "Moe Characters"), but not everyone's interests and tastes are the same. To western Otaku, Azumanga Daioh is often not seen as being very "Moe" at all, and if they did, they would most likely find "Moe" from Sakaki. However to Japanese Otaku, Azumanga is seen as being quite "Moe", with Osaka garnering the most "Moe" (you don't win the 2002 Saimoe awards for nothing). Also Japanese Otaku find Saeko of HOTD "Moe", while most Western Otaku find her sexy, but not particularly Moe. Point is, there is no definite way to make your audience "Moe" for your characters, therefore terms like "the Moe genre" are incorrect because that would imply everyone had the exact same interests.

Not to mention the term "Moe genre" is incorrect for other reasons as well. Feelings of "Moe" are mostly generated from characterization and art style. With this in mind, it is idiotic and silly to name a genre after a character trait. The "Anti-Hero genre"? The "Magnificent Bastard genre"? Those characters can appear in any genre. For Magnificent Bastards, Lelouche appears in a drama, political intrigue action Mecha, and Souma appears in a slice of life comedy known as Working!! "Moe-trait Characters" can also be in any genre as well. Puella Magi Madoka Magica proves that quite well. Rei Ayanami, possibly the original "Moe Character", also proves quite well "Moe" can be in any genre. It can play in Index, Railgun and Bakemonogatari just as well as it can in Lucky Star, K-ON and Working!! The Idea of a "Moe Character" is dubious by itself (as that would imply everyone found the same thing "Moe", when the reality is that it's characters "more likely to induce Moe), but the term "Moe genre" is just as incorrect a term as the "Animation genre" in the west.

The true problem here is the incorrect usage of the term. the term "Moe" has become bogged down with unessisary baggage and untrue meanings. "Moe" is just a feeling of happiness, deriving from the intense "passion or interest". Even for those who claim to hate "Moe", you have felt it before, I know you have. It is a natural extention of human passion, and our ability to love something. "Moe" is not something to be shunned, it is a beautiful thing that should be celebrated, as it can be found anywhere, from any genre and from anybody, which then brings us a brief moment of happiness in our too short lives. You have felt it before, you just haven't accepted it yet.

Man I be getting some DEAD SPACE chills here! All that creature needed to do next was to insert a parasite thing to run the decapitated body! Pure awesome possibilities of brain Fucking to the two little delusional girls there!